6 Simple Success Secrets

If you want to be happier, do better at work and have richer relationships, make these emotional tweaks

Charlotte Haigh MacNeil

Do you have an idea of the sort of person you want to be but keep slipping into bad mental habits? It can seem daunting to keep trying to be more assertive, diligent, open or confident. But making some small, practical changes can be all you need to do to transform your outlook – and the way the rest of the world responds to you, says Nigel Cumberland, author of 100 Things Successful People Do (John Murray Learning, £9.99). Here are some of his top tips.

AUDIT YOUR STRENGTHS

Make a list of your best qualities – you could ask friends and colleagues for their input too. Then analyse how much time you spend doing the things you’re good at. To be your best self, you should be playing to your strengths the majority of the time – which will also make you happier, as we tend to feel most content and fulfilled when our talents are put to good use. If you can’t use some of your chief skills in the workplace, look at ways to make the most of them in other areas of your life. If you’re a great listener, for example, perhaps you could volunteer as a Samaritan or train to be a counsellor or life coach.

FAKE CONFIDENCE

This doesn’t mean pretending to know something you don’t or avoiding asking for help. But having an attitude of self assurance can help you feel brave enough to do the things you want to do, and put others at their